Common Electrical Issues During Remodeling

Remodeling your home and turning it into an oasis of aesthetic pleasure is of course a very satisfying process. However, when it comes down to nitty gritty electrical work you might stumble upon as part of your renovation work, it’s important to steer clear of any issues that could at best slow your project down, or at worst, create hazardous conditions for you and your family. Electrical work should be carried out by a qualified professional, but you should at least be able to spot problems and know when to call in an electrician

Wiring Not Correctly Secured

Be it unattached wiring or wiring that is too tightly secured to studs or beams, both situations pose hurdles in your work. When you start your remodeling project, you may come across wires that are too snugly secured and also wires which are fixed in position poorly, perhaps having been left alone since the house was built. In both cases, you are exposed to the risks of electrical fire, shorts, and damage. It is prudent to secure all dangling wires properly and space them according to code. Any damaged wires should never be ignored and should be replaced at once. If you’re confident in turning off the mains first, use a staple gun to remove and reattach wires which are pinched from extraneous force.

Size of Wiring

Another common problem which crops up is the wrong size of wires being used. When wiring incorrectly sized for the job is used, it could pose a perilous situation by causing the wires to overheat. If you stumble across a faulty cable or need to accommodate an old or new fixture, it is imperative to make sure your replacement wire is a like for like replacement.

For instance, a three-wire receptacle cannot replace a two-wire receptacle. This way, you run the risk of overheating the unit and wreaking damage. As a rule of thumb, a 14-gauge wire can be used for bulbs running on a 15-amp circuit. Similarly, 12-gauge wire is used for running a 20-amp circuit. Cde regulations pertaining to how much can be included inside a single box or stripped should be strictly followed.

Length of Wiring

You should be well aware of the proper code regulations before you determine how much of the wire can be stripped. Around 6-10 inches of the wire should ideally be removed to assist in hanging of an outlet box.

Wiring Protection

Unprotected wires not only get damaged easily, they are quite hazardous to your safety. Wiring must never be exposed to harsh weather conditions, and should always be covered to the public.

Lighting Installation Cable Connectors

Cable connectors come in handy when you want to keep metal from damaging the cable sheath, resulting in shorts.

Connections

Different wires have different functions; one acts as a ground, one as live current, and one as a neutral. It is highly imperative that wires are not left free in a box, but instead connected properly.

Replacing Old Wires

When old wires come out, it is vital that new wires fit perfectly. For instance, a three-wire receptacle should never replace a two-wire receptacle without first upgrading the older wire. Same rules apply for dated light fixtures.

Wiring in Older Light Fixtures

Make sure there is a reliable ground conductor before you decide to address the light fixtures. Despite the age of the fixture, always use a ground conductor, especially if it is a metal.

Forgetting Code

Despite all precautions, the most fool proof way to ward off all issues pertaining to electrical remodeling projects, is to comply with the standards set by the National Electrical Code

Fuses and Circuit Breakers

Remember that all installed protection devices at home, be it a circuit breaker panel or a fuse board, are for your safety. Attempting to update either could backfire in the long run. While this won’t cause the device to blow up, wire carrying more current that they are accustomed to will catch fire.

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